Design

The Fairey Barracuda was to meet requirements put forth in 1937 and to replace the Albacore.

The Barracuda was to have the Rolls-Royce Exe engine, but when the engine was abandoned the fuselage had to be altered to fit the Merlin. This delay and the decision that the Firefly was more urgent delayed the entry into service of the Barracuda. The Barracuda became the Fleet Air Arm's first monoplane torpedo bomber.

The Barracuda was of all-metal construction.

The fuel tanks were self sealing.

Tail

The tail plane was initially mounted low in the prototype, but due to turbulence caused by the Youngman flap/dive brake it was mounted higher in the production aircraft.

Prototype

On December 7, 1940, the Barracuda prototype was first flown. The second Barracuda prototype flew on June 29, 1941.

The first aircraft carrier landing for the Barracuda was on May 18, 1941.

Production

The first production aircraft to fly was in May 1942. Production went until early 1946.